Pre-law students work on a laptop while sitting on the steps of Boyle Hall at SNC. background

Pre-law

Start your law studies at SNC

Can you imagine poring through legal casebooks to find a detail that could win a big case? Do you love the structure and language of the law? Are you interested in a career where you can defend justice and advocate for clients? Want to learn to think on your feet? SNC will teach you how to think like a lawyer, and help you to take your next steps toward practicing law. Our pre-law program emphasizes strong written and oral communication skills as well as critical thinking — you’ll learn how to craft convincing arguments, and you’ll leave SNC with strong research skills.

Academic paths within the program

Students are admitted into law school from almost every academic discipline, so major in what you love. Law schools look for students with a high level of reading and writing ability, strong communication skills, and the ability to conduct research — all skills that you’ll develop through your coursework at SNC.

Apply for law school as a first-year student

If you are a first-year student with a strong interest in studying law, consider SNC’s 3-plus-3 academic partnership with Marquette Law School. Students who are admitted to the partnership apply and enroll at Marquette Law School after completing only three years of education at SNC. If this program interests you, you must apply by the end of your first year at SNC. A well-qualified candidate has a 3.75 cumulative high school GPA while taking a difficult level of coursework.

Earn a pre-law certificate

Want to hone your legal skills? We offer a pre-law certificate consisting of 16 hours of credit in the areas of law, logical and critical thinking, empirical perspectives on the law and normative perspectives on the law.

Stay on track for the law-school admission exam

Students applying for law school should take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than December of their senior year.

Elevate your pre-law education

What’s more? Most disciplines at SNC offer collaborative research opportunities, and many offer chances to share your research with the global academic community by publishing in journals or presenting at conferences. Developing your research, writing and presentation skills will help you stand out in a crowded field of law school applicants. Our small class sizes mean that you’ll get to know your instructors at SNC — which can come in handy when you need a letter of recommendation.

While you’re at SNC, you’ll also have plenty of ways to improve and demonstrate your leadership abilities, or pursue your passion for a particular legal cause — take your pick from SNC’s remarkable range of clubs and service organizations.

When you consider international study, remember that attorneys need to feel sure of themselves in order to be effective. Time spent overseas helps you grow as a person, so you should seriously think about studying abroad as a pre-law student. (In addition, it could help your chances of being admitted to the law school of your choice.) Start planning how you might use your time at SNC to elevate your law school application.

  • I’m the first college graduate in my family and first to pursue a law degree. Being a first-generation student for undergrad was an intense but incredible experience. Starting law school seems like a daunting challenge at times, but it’s an absolute honor to be able to be the first of hopefully a long line of academics and future scholars not only in my family, but for my community.

    Karen Suarez Jimenez ’20

    Portrait of student Karen Suarez Jimenez
    Portrait of student Karen Suarez Jimenez

    I’m the first college graduate in my family and first to pursue a law degree. Being a first-generation student for undergrad was an intense but incredible experience. Starting law school seems like a daunting challenge at times, but it’s an absolute honor to be able to be the first of hopefully a long line of academics and future scholars not only in my family, but for my community.

    Karen Suarez Jimenez ’20

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Undergraduate research

Engage in collaborative research projects in legal topics with your professors – frequently with financial support from national organizations. Contribute to legal research through your senior thesis.

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Practical internships

Explore the field through internships, and find out what it’s like to put your academic training to work.

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International reach

Experience diverse classroom and instructional settings through our study abroad program.

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A professor speaks to a group of students in a classroom.
Learn from exceptional SNC pre-law faculty

If there’s one thing that SNC professors and instructors have in common, it’s a passion for teaching and sharing their expertise. You’ll also find them dedicated to providing personalized guidance that supports your academic and career aspirations. Discover the distinguished scholars you’ll be learning from.

Laurel Laurel

Your law degree at work

A law degree opens you up to diverse career paths. You can work with families or contracts; you can spend your days defending individuals in court; or, you could represent large corporations in the boardroom. There are hundreds of legal specialities. Whatever your passion, there’s an area of law for you.

Plus, you can do more than practice law with a J.D. degree. Fields like human-resource management, policy, regulatory or compliance work, claims adjustment, consulting and business management all make good use of your J.D. degree. What’s more, the law degree on your application will give you an advantage.

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Contact the St. Norbert College admission office

Campus location

Ariens Family Welcome Center
310 College Ave.
De Pere, WI 54115

Hours of operation

Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

We’re also available by appointment.

Mailing address

Office of Admission
St. Norbert College
Ariens Family Welcome Center
100 Grant St.
De Pere, WI 54115

Campus